Community of Steveston, Richmond, BC

 Sunday, April 30th

Sunday morning and the weather forecast is for sunshine, so Ray and I decided to go to the small fishing village of Steveston in Richmond.  We're looking to possibly pick up some fresh crab for dinner at Dad's tonight. Also on the agenda is visiting the Parks Canada Gulf of Georgia Cannery. With it being Canada's 150 birthday, admission is free.

Built in 1894 in the historic village of Steveston, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery was once the largest building of its kind and the leading producer of canned salmon in British Columbia. The exhibit was very informative, and we enjoyed walking around for awhile. Lots of hands on things for kids to keep them occupied as well.

You can take a tour with a Parks Canada Volunteer or just wander through by yourself. All of the exhibits have informative write-ups beside them.

EXHIBITS

The Pull of the Net: Commercial Fishing in Canada  shares the exceptional story of how the fishing industry has shaped Canadian identity from pre-confederation to modern times. From early European explorers landing on the shores of Newfoundland in search of lucrative cod, to the thriving salmon trade of coastal First Nations in BC, commercial fishing in Canada has played an important role in bringing together diverse cultural groups and creating public conversation around natural resource management. This exhibit invites visitors to explore these themes, celebrate our history and reflect upon the place of commercial fishing in today’s Canada.

They also had a cabin display from a trawler to give you an idea what it was like on the fishing boats for the crew.

What goes in must come out!

The Canning Line

Stories of mountains of sockeye come alive among the clatter and hum of machines in the Canning Line Exhibit. Encompassing over 4000 sq. ft., this interactive, multi-media exhibit demonstrates the process of salmon canning on a 1930s – 1950s era canning line. Take a guided tour along the line and uncover the personal stories of cannery workers who worked amidst the steam, noise, and odours of fish slime and machine oil.

The bins of fish are loaded inside the cannery.

This machine takes off the heads, tails and fins.

Cleaning Table

Cans coming down to be stuffed with fish.

Fish added to the cans.

Cans are being stacked for loading into the pressure cooker.

Cans out of the pressure cooker.

Boxing station.

Delivery Truck

Herring Reduction Plant

This once thriving Reduction Plant was in operation until 1979, when it was closed due to modernization of the process and centralization of the operations. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of this 6500 sq. ft. exhibit! You will be amazed to discover how herring was transformed into fish oil and fish meal.

(When Parks Canada took over the cannery in 1984 there was still herring in the system. Can you imagine the smell cleaning it all out!)

Here is a video that Ray took of the canning line. Of course he picked the music too!

Back outside we walked the pier to where the boats are selling their catch. Unfortunately no crab but we did manage a couple of pounds of prawns for tomorrow's dinner. None of the fish was fresh, all flash frozen at sea.

Sea Urchins

I had to stand in line for 10 minutes to get my chance at getting some prawns. Very popular boat!

I put the prawns with ice in the cooler in the car and we wandered down towards the restaurants to pick where we're going to eat lunch. 

Best way to end our tour!

We started with the tour of the cannery at 11:30 am and by the time we sat down for lunch at 1 pm the place was packed with lots of tourists and locals enjoying the sunny Sunday.

 After lunch it was time to head home as I was cooking dinner, salmon from the local grocer, for Dad today.

Monday, May 1st, it's quite rainy in the morning but smartened up in the afternoon. Had to get up to Dad's early to meet up with a tree pruning service. We are trying to get our motorhome into Dad's driveway so we are closer to him when we are in town, which he would like and we would save $$ by staying there instead of an RV Park. Later in the afternoon I was back to take him for his appointment for an Echocardiogram at Peace Arch Hospital. In between I prepared our Vodka Tomato Sauce for our pasta and prawns for dinner. They were delicious.    IT'S RAY HERE... YUMMMM!